Sometimes cash flow is more important than final price. I haven't experienced it myself, but I heard that this is especially true for low income people who live paycheck to paycheck. The $300 couch you can get on a credit for 24 easy payments of 30 dollars is easier to afford than the $100 used couch.

I do agree with you, since I've done it myself. I've also taken furniture friends were going to trash. But I refinished and cleaned them. However I know not everyone has those skill sets.

But, is it right to say someone can't have something moderately nice? I couldn't afford to in the past and lived like that. I didn't like it, obviously. But I also had an "exit strategy" to that situation, which has decently worked out.

I'm just curious how I'd feel if it didn't work out. Even though I agree with you, that comment kind of stung oddly... I don't know...

If they can't reasonably pay for it, I don't see what other option there is for a responsible adult. Perhaps that is my cultural background speaking.